Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please sign the organ donation register and make a donation to help change peoples lives.

Down in one piece. (Updated 23/10/06)

Big thanks to Ade, Jo, Sara and Al

 

 

I think someone must have been looking down on us, maybe it was because we were 2 miles closer to him we would be easier to see, but the weather was perfect , couldn’t have asked for better blue sky’s with the occasional Cumulus.

As we reached 9,000 feet I could feel my stomach trying to come up through my mouth, not a slight rumble, but I felt the cold sweat and had a fear I was about to decorate the instructor sat between my legs.

Took a deep breath and pulled myself together as we climbed to 12,000 and then over the rumble of the planes engines you hear the words shouted “at height ready to go”. The door opens and your hit by the engine noise wind and temperature drop From hear its all sign language and pointing.   

A short shuffle over to the doorway and a quick look down into open space, then there is a few seconds feet crossed and as far back under the plane as you can as you have been told, head leaning out to a foot away from the landing wheel and under carriage. Pause for a second FFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuu,

 

 

I don’t think I did finish that word for the whole 35 seconds, at 165 miles an hour.

as far as the eyes can see a patchwork of different tiny shaded fields. And a stunning view of the cotwolds lakes, blurred by my mind trying to figure out the reality of what was going on.

I’m hoping I can still have children after the jolt of the parachute being deployed, the harness that is now slowing you to a gentle float is a little snug.

With legs dangling still above the few clouds, I could just make out the white of the hanger, a few more twists and spins for added stomach swirling and it wasn’t long before the perfect on feet landing, it was probably about then I started to breath again.

 

 

Thankyou very much for supporting us and giving some cash, it really makes a difference, I have just completed a survey for Kidney research UK about where they spend their money raised and when you look at the list they are all worthy ideas that can change peoples lives quite simply dynamically. Lets hope we can change them all in time and with your and people like you.

 http://photos.orange.co.uk/album/4262642

 

Thanks again, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your help.

xxx

 

Terminal Velocity. (Updated 01/08/06)

 Ever wondered what terminal velocity felt like? I recently asked Ade, Jo, Sara and Alun the same question. Some good friends from work, foolishly they had inquisitive minds and have now signed up to jump from a perfectly good plane to find out.

 

 

 Next time you are in a plane look out of the window and imagine falling straight down. It all becomes a bit more real.

  In October 2006 all five of us have signed up to jump from the sky’s in aid of Kidney Research. But we won’t be putting our lives on the line for free. Help us pluck up the courage and sponsor us to make the jump or by making a donation.

 

  I will update this page soon but for now here are some details. The reason for having no target is that my charity will be changing, for the week of July 9th-July 15th (National Transplant week), I will be collecting for a very small but extremely important charity called "Transplants in Mind" who promote signing the organ donation register, a priceless gift.

MY FUTURE IS BRIGHT (01/07/06)

 Please please take 5 minutes to save a life. YOU can make a difference right now.

 Hello, My name is Stuart. Last year I received the most amazing gift from someone I have never known, never met or even spoken too. This incredible person will now be in my heart and thoughts for the rest of my life. They have taught me so much about thinking of others and the value that one decision can make.

 The gift that this person gave me was my life back. I have always played every sport I can and made the most of all the free time I had, whether it be having a drink with mates or playing rugby down the local park. A new kidney means I can do all this again.

 But in October 2004 all this changed in the blink of an eye, my kidneys stopped working.

 I spent the next 8 months waking up virtually ever day in pain, Endless trips to the hospital, sitting attached to a dialysis machine for 5 hours every other day. No energy, No freedom and only a foreseeable future of more treatment, more medication and painful long days.

 I was one of those people who always meant to give blood and always meant to get a donor card, every single time the opportunity arose or I was reminded I would say to myself I must do that this week. Take 5 minutes out and just make the effort. But there was always an excuse, not a valid excuse, just enough of an excuse to leave it until next time.   

 I have been so incredibly lucky to receive a donation so quickly, some people never receive one. kidney failure can usually be managed with dialysis and medication with cancers, liver or lung failure patients do not have this luxury or opportunity to buy time.

 The true facts about organ donation

 ·      Chance of you actually being suitable for a donation is very small it is very dependant on circumstances

 ·      2867 transplants In 2004, there are currently around 7000 people on the transplant list in the

 ·      As medicine improves the number of donor’s go down and people waiting goes up, you are more likely to need a transplant than give one

 ·      Organs will not last out of a body, Giving them means they live on.

 ·      Organs not suitable for transplantation will only be used for research with special permission.

 ·      If you don’t want to donate specific organs you can specify this.

 7000 people waiting 400 will die before an organ becomes available

 What do I do to help?

 ·      Even if you have a card please add yourself to the register it is far more effective

 ·      Tell your closest too you about your decision.

 ·      If your not sure if you have registered please either write and check, or just register again and will automatically check and update any changes.

 ·      Register your family, kids have an even further limitation of donors

 Register now at

http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/how_to_become_a_donor/registration/consent.jsp?campaign=1270

 or for more information visit

 www.uktransplant.org.uk

 You should be very proud to have offered such a gift, so please tell who you can and encourage others to give the gift of life. It really is the gift of LIFE its not just a tag line.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Transplants in Mind will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please donate some a few pounds today.

Many thanks for your support.

Have you considered becoming a Bone Marrow Donor?

You can save lives now! visit.

https://secure.blood.co.uk/bonemarrow.asp